whichmay affectneurotransmission . These areonly a few ofthe papers out of27 full articles and 19 abstracts to bementioned, but all are of similar high standard.The editors are tobecongratulated for their effort to publishthaw proceedings within areasonable period oftime .

This is a very important contribution to the rapidly changing neurotoxin field .

GRAsso, A, AL.EmA, S, RuFflq4 S. and SENN,,M. I . (Laboratory of Cell Biology, CNR, Rome, Italy).Black widow spider toxin-induced calcium fluxes and transmitter release in a neurosecretory cell line.Nature, bond. 283, 774 (1980).

A spiDER venom toxin from Ldtrodectus mactans tredechrguttatus produces a rapidand massive influx ofCa'* ionsin neurosecretory cells (PC 12, phaeochromocytoma cell line). This results in the release of neurotransmitters(catecholamines~ Concanavalin A has an antagonistic effect probably inhibiting the formation of toxin-inducedCa21 `channels' .

MARETtc, Z. and LEBEz, D. AraneLsm, with Special Reference to Europe. Nolit Publishing House,Belgrade, Yugoslavia, 1979, 255 pp.

D. MEBs

D. Mm

IN Europe arandsm is mainly associated with only one spider species, L.atrodectus mactans tredecimguttatus, theblack widow spider . Envenomations, adiseasenamed latrodecusm, occur in themediterraaeanareasandhave theirown history ; first reports on epidemics date back to the 9th century . More recently, the spider venom toxins,especially neurotoxins, attracted the attention of physiologists proving it as a valuable tool in neurochemistry.The two authors are well known experts in the field of araneiam. No one else having such valuable personal

experience and knowledge wouldbe better qualified toreview thedata on natural history of spiders, the anatomyoftheirvenomapparatus, chemistry andmode ofaction ofspidervenoms,the clinical aspects ofspider envenomations,especiallylatrodectism, the use of spider venom in therapeutics ; moreover, other species including Cldracantldcampunctorhan, Lycosa tarentula, and Steatoda paykulltana are mentioned. It has to be emphasized that even topicsdealing with folklore, folk medicine and historical events are implied making this monograph an essentialsourcebook. The literature of nearly 2000yr hasbeen searched resulting in a complete list ofreferences dealing withthis subject.

Thisbook covering all aspects ofaraneism in Europeand to someextent inother parts oftheworldbelongs tothemost important publications in toxinology in recent years.

D. MEBs

GONZALE% D . [Universidad Autbnoma de Barcelona, Facultad de Medicines, Departamento de Anatomia Humans,Ballatems (Baralonal Spanien]. Bissverletzungen durch Malpolon monspessulanus . Salamandra 15, 266 (1980

TEN cxsEs of envenoming due to the bite ofMalpolon monspeaulamrs in Spain are reported. In nine cases localsymptoms occurred, such as edema, paresthesia around the bite area and lymphangitis ; in one more severe casefarther symptoms (ptosis, difficulties in swallowing and respiration) were observed. When the patients were givenantihistamines and corticoids, the symptoms disappeared within 48 hours.

GERTscH, W. J. American Spiders, 2nd Edn. New York : Van Nostrand Reinhold (1979) .

G. HABERMEEH.

OF THE approximately 3000 species of spiders in North America, Dr . GEaTscH less selected a wide variety fordiscussion in this informative and fascinating revision of his 1949 text Although, for the most part, the bookconcerns itselfwith thenumbers andkindsofspiders, their morphology, life histories andbehavior, it also deals withman's historical interest in spiders, their relationships to othercreatures (including man)and theirplacein ecology.Sections are devoted to the major groups and data are provided on distribution. There are excellent photographsand colored plates. Attention is given to themedicalimportance ofspider bites in the United States and the generalnature of their venom.This book is an excellent reference work for anyone, particularly in the United States, working with s

concernedwith theproblemofspider bite. It should prove avaluable referencework for anyoneinterestedspiders

lifehistory of these fascinating animals.

F. E. RussEU .